Explore the new BC Place

Yesterday, Vancouver Whitecaps FC made a major step forward with the addition of US World Cup starting centre back and former Watford FC captain Jay DeMerit. Today, fans have been given an exclusive opportunity to preview the new BC Place stadium and start finalizing their seat selection strategy through a cutting-edge virtual in-venue experience!

Following the announcement of the club's MLS season ticket prices for the 2011 season, Whitecaps FC unveiled this new digital platform that will allow fans to check out the view from any seat in the house for MLS matches at the new BC Place stadium.

A creation of New York City-based IOMEDIA, Virtual Venue provides the most accurate in-venue experience for customer engagement and fan interaction. Whitecaps FC are the first and only sports team in Vancouver to provide the Virtual Venue technology to their fans.

Next week, deposit holders will start selecting their match seats online. To help with this process and create awareness, the club has launched an exciting marketing campaign. Check out this video from head coach Teitur Thordarson offering advice on where fans should sit.

Fans will start implementing their seat selection strategy by first selecting from multiple aerial views of the new BC Place. Once ‘inside’ the stadium, fans will then be able to compare sightlines from different locations in the stadium before making their decision, and read additional information regarding the benefits of their seats.

As other fans access the system and purchase their seats, the system updates available inventory in ‘real time’ - so fans will need to act quickly to ensure they secure their favourite spot.

Once supporters have picked their spot, fans can then share their location with their friends and family on Facebook or Twitter - either to invite them to join, or just to show off!

Take this opportunity to check out the virtual venue and make sure you know where you want to be. When your unique session comes, you’ll want to know exactly what your seat selection strategy is, so you can secure YOUR best seats.

IOMEDIA's Virtual Venue includes a list of top North American sports franchises like Major League Baseball's New York Yankees, and one other Canadian client in Toronto's Roger Centre, who used the platform for the Buffalo Bills' NFL game versus Chicago Bears on November 7. Four other MLS clubs are also clients of Virtual Venue. They include MLS expansion cousins Portland Timbers and three established MLS clubs in New York Red Bulls, Philadelphia Union, and Sporting Kansas City (formerly Kansas City Wizards).